Opposites Attract: Three weeks in the Grand Canyon State

I returned from my trip to Arizona almost a month ago and it is high time that I wrote this blog. The weather is beginning to turn to Spring and I am looking forward to a new season here in Virginia.  I wore flip flops and a sweater to church today which was ridiculous to assume that because the sun was shining, it was sweater weather. Last weekend we explored Georgetown and wore mittens and hats, so I should have known better.

They say fish and company begin to stink after three days- imagine being a guest for three weeks!  Being a guest in my own home was an experience in itself. My kids welcomed me with open arms and there was only one minor "mom's meltdown" episode-ha!  Three weeks is too long though and I missed Tom and Sandy- after all "Virginia is for Lovers" and I am technically still a newlywed.

It was so glorious to be in Arizona and enjoy the sunny warm weather most of the time I was there. A few days of rain- but the rain was warm and I didn't mind too much. It was also refreshing to be away from the autograph hounds that pester me here on the east coast. Surprisingly, my blog isn't as well known in AZ and I was left in peace most of the time!

An Arizona trip was long overdue for several reasons: I missed my family and friends and had a chronic case of cabin fever.  I also wanted to check on our house in Mesa that Holly, Ryne and Kelsey are care taking for us while we are away.  I do miss my house and it is comforting to know it is there waiting for us when we return.   The house was freshly cleaned when I arrived and I approved of it's upkeep with a few reminders to change light bulbs, remember the recycling pick-up day,etc.  After a consultation with my yard guy, I was satisfied that all was well on Keats Ave.

My youngest daughter Kelsey was scheduled for a laproscopic gallbladder removal two days after my arrival and I wanted to be there to take care of her. I had always heard that folks with gallstones fit this criteria: fat, fair and forty. Kelsey is none of theses things and is the picture of vegetarian health.  A less likely candidate would be hard to find.

We arrived bright and early at the hospital for the day surgery and everything went like clockwork until  we met the anesthesiologist. Kelsey has a few piercings  and of course common sense tells you that the navel ring would have to be removed. The ear and nose piercings were of concern to the 50 something female anesthesiologist, but not to the surgical nurse or surgeon who said that taping over them would be sufficient.  I know I saw the surgical nurse roll her eyes as the wacko carried on to the point of bringing my nervous daughter to pre-surgery tears. To say I was not happy with her is an understatement.   She said she might have to remove the nose ring, but I thought she would be talked out of it in the operating room.

Sure enough, Kelsey returned to the recovery room with two IV tubes threaded through her nose. The recovery room nurse was aghast and said she had never seen this before. I told her I was half expecting this and not to worry about shocking me. Kelsey was very slow to wake up fully and I made the decision to remove the tubes as I couldn't imagine her wearing them for days until she could return to the piercing studio. (I didn't realize that nose rings are not removable on a daily basis)hmmm.  After two more hours of waiting in the recovery room I asked to take my patient home to sleep off the residual anesthesia.  We trolleyd her into the waiting car and she slept mouth agape all the way home. A few curious pedestrians stared into the car window and I pretended I was involved in an intervention and was driving her to rehab.

Kelsey made a smashing recovery and it was my pleasure to play Nurse Ratchet and declare the Percocet off limits on day three. Her washboard abs are none the worse for the experience and she is enjoying life without chronic stomach discomfort.

At the end of week one, I was dismissed as private duty nurse and went to Bunko with my pals!  It was so nice to see everyone again and it felt like home.

That weekend, I attended a continuing education class for my massage license renewal due in July 2011. I decided to take a Reiki 1 class and felt it was easier to take my CEU's at a familiar place instead of wasting more time on my fruitless Internet searches for classes in Virginia or DC that fit my travel criteria. I love attending classes at the South west Institute for Healing Arts. It is such a pleasant atmosphere, full of friendly Granolas and smells of  delightful essential oils.

I have been interested in energy healing ever since I attended massage therapy school and it called to me as I looked over the course schedules.  It was a powerful and interesting weekend and I am reserving judgement until I soak in the experience and practice my self Reiki treatment (my homework I have not done!). I need two more classes before becoming a "Reiki Master"- we'll see.

I got a lot done in the three weeks I was there- got my Botox, I love that stuff! Had my yearly mammogram at Mountain Vista and helped two seniors find their missing parked car. Imagine my shock when the more mobile and sharper of the duo climbed into the passenger seat instead of driving. I made a quick exit out of there feeling I had a head start on road safety.   I was able to attend my church, Spring of Life twice and it was great to be back for Sunday worship again. I also got to take a Christian yoga class with my friend Kirsta at Yahweh Yoga in Chandler-loved!  Kirsta and I also traded services she got a massage and I got waxed and that's all you need to know about that!

I was fortunate to see so many of my friends and sometimes I was clever enough to remember my camera and other times, not.  I ate so many good meals and enjoyed the company and friendship of all, love you guys!  Tracy, I had to speak my truth at Farelli's (inside joke) great to have to opportunity to see you on several occasions.

My Mom and Dad traveled from Oregon for a visit and it was great to see them again. They are both in their 80's and I count myself as very fortunate to have them both in my life in my 55th year.  We were anxious to drive to Peoria AZ and see grandson Sam (their great-grandson).  Mom and Dad are enjoying good health and good attitudes.

Speaking of snowbirds...I have to say I bragged about how the snowbirds didn't bug me when I was out driving. I would much rather contend with a pokey driver from Calgary than a speeding driver here in VA leaning on the horn at the traffic lights!  By the end of the three weeks, the snowbirds did bug me, I admit it. I took my Mom to the SAS shoe store in Apache Junction and I was the youngest person there for the customer appreciation sale. The seniors came in droves to shop and the store help(seniors also) wore cobbler aprons and wore the comfortable shoes too. We returned the next day to make a return and it was hilarious to see a senior with a doo rag on a fully loaded Harley riding up to the store to purchase his sensible shoes- what a bad ass! 

Our visit to Peoria was wonderful.  I am so proud of my son and daughter-in-law Ryan and Amanda for the extraordinary job they are doing in parenting their son Sam.  Their devotion to meeting his needs is awe inspiring to me.  Sam is proficient in his use of an I-Pad as an augmentative communication device. He is a beautiful, bright boy and I am so glad to be his Grandma! 

The trip to AZ was beautiful with just a few bumps in the road.  I look forward to the day I can see the beautiful Superstition Mountains on a daily basis and I know I will appreciate living there again when the time comes.